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Saturday, September 5, 2015

Junkers Ju87 R (Stuka)

A long range version of the Ju 87B was also built, known as the Ju 87R, the letter allegedly being an abbreviation for Reichweite,
"(operational) range". They were primarily intended for anti-shipping
missions. The Ju 87R had a B-series airframe with an additional oil tank
and fuel lines to the outer wing stations to permit the use of two
300 L (79.25 US gal) standardised capacity under-wing drop tanks,
used by a wide variety of Luftwaffe aircraft through most of the war.
This increased fuel capacity to 1,080 litres (500 L in main fuel tank of
which 480 L where usable + 600 L from drop tanks).
To prevent overload conditions, bomb carrying ability was often
restricted to a single 250 kg (550 lb) bomb if the aircraft was fully
loaded with fuel.
The Ju 87 R-1 had a B-1 airframe with the exception of a modification
in the fuselage which enabled an additional oil tank. This was
installed to feed the engine due to the increase in range after the
addition of the extra fuel tanks.
The Ju 87 R-2 had the same airframe as the B-2, and strengthened to
ensure it could withstand dives of 600 km/h (370 mph). The Jumo 211D
in-line engine was installed, replacing the R-1s Jumo 211A.
Due to an increase in overall weight by some 700 kg (1,500 lb), the Ju
87 R-2 was 30 km/h (19 mph) slower than the Ju 87 B-1 and had a lower
service ceiling. The Ju 87 R-2 had an increased range advantage of
360 km (220 mi).
The R-3 and R-4 were the last R variants developed. Only a few were
built. The R-3 was an experimental tug for gliders and had an expanded
radio system so the crew could communicate with the glider crew by way
of the tow rope. The R-4 differed from the R-2 in the Jumo 211J
powerplant.
Total production amounted to 972 Ju 87R (105 R-1, 472 R-2, 144 R-4),
all built by Weserflug. The last Ju 87R rolled off the production lines
in October 1941.